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Vice President Pence assured U.S. allies in South America on Monday that the Trump administration will work with them to address the crisis in Venezuela as the country descends into a "dictatorship."

"The American people will always come alongside allies like Colombia should this crisis continue to drive a greater refugee flow into Colombia and neighboring countries," Pence told reporters gathered at a chapel in Cartagena, Colombia.

The vice president, whose trip comes days after President Trump declined to rule out a military option in Venezuela, said he was asked by Trump to send a clear message during his trip to the Nicolas Maduro regime that the Venezuelan leader's attempt "to change the laws and the structures and ultimately, the constitution in Venezuela to full dictatorship [is] simply unacceptable."

"The United States is going to continue to send a message of resolve and determination," Pence said, reiterating that the U.S. has "many options with regard to Venezuela to ultimately make it possible for the people of Venezuela to see their democracy restored."

White House officials have said Pence's visit to Colombia and other allies in South America is meant to turn up the pressure on Venezuelan President Maduro, who has sought to consolidate power in the country by installing a controversial constitutional assembly and replacing the attorney general, who was a forceful critic of the Maduro machine.

Pence will travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, later Monday, followed by stops in Chile and Panama City.

Read more:
Pence: US determined to see 'democracy restored' in Venezuela - Washington Examiner